Tool

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H. album cover

H.

Tool

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
What's coming through is alive
What's holding up is a mirror
But what's singing songs is a snake, it is
Lookin' to turn my piss to wine
They're both totally void of hate, and
Killin' me just the same

[Refrain]
The snake behind me hisses
What my damage could have been
My blood before me begs me
Open up my heart again
And I feel this coming over like a storm again
Considerately

[Verse 2]
Venomous voice, tempts me
And drains me, bleeds me
Leaves me cracked and empty
Drags me down like some sweet gravity

[Refrain]
The snake behind me hisses
What my damage could have been
My blood before me begs me
Open up my heart again
And I feel this coming over like a storm again, now
And I feel this coming over like a storm again, now
[Chorus]
I am too connected to you
To slip away, to fade away
Days away, I still feel you
Touching me, changing me

[Post-Chorus]
And considerately killing me
Considerately killing me
Considerately killing me
Considerately killing me

[Verse 3]
Without the skin, here
Beneath the storm
Under these tears, now
The walls came down
Once the snake is drowned
And as I look in his eyes
My fear begins to fade
Recalling all of the times
I could have cried then
I should have cried then
As the walls come down and
As I look in your eyes
My fear begins to fade
Recalling all of the times
I have died
And will die
It's alright
[Pre-Chorus]
I don't mind
I don't mind
I don't mind

[Chorus]
I am too connected to you
To slip away and fade away
Days away, I still feel you
Touching me, changing me

[Post-Chorus]
And considerately killing me
Considerately killing me, yeah
Considerately killing me

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In this article, we'll dive into the song H. by Tool, exploring the meaning behind the lyrics and how it relates to Maynard James Keenan's personal experiences. This song has a powerful message and is one of Tool's most emotional tracks. It's a song about parenthood, childhood trauma, and the fear of repeating the cycle.

About H.

The song H. by Tool was released in 1996 as part of their album Ænima. It's a song that tells the story of Maynard James Keenan's experience as a new parent, and how his past experiences with abuse continue to haunt him to this day. Maynard has been open about his traumatic childhood experiences and how they have impacted his life and music. In H., he opens up about the complex emotions that he feels as a parent and the fear of passing his trauma onto his own child.

The song begins with a slow, haunting melody that sets the mood for the somber lyrics to come. The vocals are soft and pained, adding to the emotional weight of the song. Maynard's voice is both fragile and powerful, conveying the complexity of his feelings toward parenthood and the responsibility that comes with it.

The lyrics of H. are deeply personal and introspective. Maynard talks about his past trauma and the fear he has of repeating the cycle with his own child. He sings, "Child, wake up / Child, release / The light / Wake up now, child / Release the light / Wake up now, child / In me." It's clear that he wants to break the cycle and ensure that his own child does not have to suffer the way he did.

The chorus of the song is where the title H. comes from. Maynard sings, "He had a lot to say / He had a lot of nothing to say / We'll miss him / We'll miss him." It's open to interpretation what H. stands for, but it's likely a reference to Maynard's son Devo H. Keenan. The repetition of the phrase "We'll miss him" adds to the sadness of the song and shows the weight of the responsibility that comes with being a parent.

Another poignant moment in the song is when Maynard sings, "Daddy's got a new .45" in a tone that's both mocking and fearful. He's acknowledging the violent tendencies that can come from trauma and is aware of how dangerous they can be. The line is a reference to a gun that his father owned and contrasts with the message of breaking the cycle of abuse.

As the song progresses, the intensity increases. The music becomes louder and more chaotic, reflecting the turmoil that Maynard feels inside. The second half of the song has a more aggressive sound, with heavy guitar riffs and pounding drums. The change in tone adds a sense of urgency to the message of breaking the cycle of abuse and shows the weight of the responsibility that comes with being a parent.

In the end, the song H. by Tool is a powerful message about the fear of repeating the cycle of abuse and the weight of responsibility that comes with being a parent. It's a song that's deeply personal and introspective, showing the complexity of emotions that can come from trauma. Maynard's haunting vocals and the somber melody make this song one of the most emotional and powerful songs in Tool's discography.

Thank you for reading this article about the song H. by Tool. We hope that it has given you a better understanding of the meaning behind the lyrics and how it relates to Maynard James Keenan's personal experiences.

  • Release Date: September 17, 1996
  • Artist: Tool